BOOK { gardens of the gods: myth, magic and meaning

"Gardens of the Gods" reveals the symbolic language of garden design, exploring the gardens of China, with their moon gates and immortal rocks, the Zen gardens of Japan, the paradise gardens of Islam, those of Renaissance Italy with their richly mythological imagery, the landscaped parks of England, the gardens of New Harmony in the US and some striking, modern examples of symbolic gardens, including the Tarot Garden of the sculptress Niki de Saint Phalle in Italy. This illustrated book also includes a chapter with suggestions for creating a "garden of meaning" and a selected catalogue of plants with symbolic or mythological associations. Based on ten years of research, travel and curiostiy, this text is also the result of a personal quest - to reveal the mystical codes written in the astonishing worlds of gardens worldwide.

click here { to read from the book

click here { to purchase the book

FAIRY GARDERNING

Exploring the blog The Magic Onions is the equivalent to a child on a treasure hunt! It is a wealth of inspiring, uplifting ideas encompassed by a bubble of imagination. One of which ideas is to create your own fairy garden with your children. Her post explains step by step instructions on how to make a fairy garden, illustrated with beautiful photos of the process. This project is sure to keep your children entertained for hours and open there little minds to the enchanted realm of the fay.

*images courtesy of The Magic Onions blog

click here { for instruction on how to make a fairy garden

BOOK { when oracles speak

This book conjures beautiful images in your mind of how ancient traditions made connection with the divine,  along with  Dianne Skafte's equally beautiful personal stories of oracles in her own life. Truly an inspiring read.

click here { to see inside the book and read an excerpt

DREAM OF DELPHI

Ever wanted to travel back in time to a place where oracles are an everyday part of life? Plan a trip to Delphi in Greece and visualize yourself listening to the pythoness deliver messages in song channeled from the divine.

The ruins of Delphi in Greece

click here { to view tour information from Athens Greece 

KIKI SMITH

Kiki Smith

Born, 2002
Bronze
Edition 2/3

 Ave, 2000

lithograph with collage, 68/230

Kiki Smith is by far the queen of mysterious, symbolic and mythical art. She is the picture of natural beauty, her style looks as though inspired by a witch, with cats to match. Her images often include animals such as wolves, raven, and deer. Not so much pretty portraits, as she is known to paint dead pets, but her emotions are laid on the page honesty for everyone to see.  She makes the connection between the natural world and her work intuitively. Her work is pure expression. Her philosophies on life are so inspiring, this is a woman that lives her truth!

click here { to watch videos of Kiki Smith and be inspired

MYTH AND MAKE-UP

Where did make-up begin?

*image courtesy of martha stewart website

Cosmetics, first used in Ancient Rome for ritual purposes,^[1] were part of daily life for women, especially prostitutes and the wealthy. Some fashionable cosmetics, such as those imported from China, Germany and Gaul, were so expensive that the Lex Oppia tried to limit their use in 189 BCE.^[2] These “designer brands” spawned cheap knock-offs that were sold to poorer women.^[3] Working-class women could afford the cheaper varieties, but may not have had the time (or slaves) to apply the makeup^[4] as the use of makeup was a time-consuming affair because cosmetics needed to be reapplied several times a day due to weather conditions and poor composition.^[5]

Cosmetics were applied in private, usually in a small room where men did not enter. Cosmetae, female slaves that adorned their mistresses, were especially praised for their skills.^[6] They would beautify their mistresses with cultus, the Latin word encompassing makeup, perfume and jewelry.^[7]

*excerpt and image courtesy of wikipedia 

 

Cosmetae applying cosmetics to a wealthy Roman woman.‎

INSPIRING INTERIORS

* Interiors by Irina Graewe

INTO THE MYSTIC { van morrison

We were born before the wind

Also younger than the sun

Ere the bonnie boat was won

As we sailed into the mystic

Hark, now hear the sailors cry

Smell the sea and feel the sky

Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic

And when that fog horn blows

I will be coming home

And when that fog horn blows

I wanna hear it, I don't have to fear it

And I wanna rock your gypsy soul

Just like way back in the days of old

Then magnificently we will float into the mystic

When that fog horn blows

You know I will be coming home

And when that fog horn whistle blows

I gotta hear it, I don't have to fear it

And I wanna rock your gypsy soul

Just like way back in the days of old

And together we will float into the mystic

Come on, girl

Too late to stop now?

click here { to listen